Content-Modification System with System Resource Request Feature

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, a method includes identifying an upcoming content modification opportunity on a channel. The method also includes responsive to identifying the upcoming content modification opportunity on the channel, identifying a group of multiple content-presentation devices tuned to the channel. The method also includes using, at least in part, an amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine an amount of system resources to request. The method also includes requesting the determined amount of system resources for use in performing actions that facilitate at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-modification operations.

RELATED DISCLOSURES

This disclosure is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/201,322, filed Mar. 15, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/895,685, filed Jun. 8, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 62/858,856, filed Jun. 7, 2019, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

USAGE AND TERMINOLOGY

In this disclosure, unless otherwise specified and/or unless the particular context clearly dictates otherwise, the terms “a” or “an” mean at least one, and the term “the” means the at least one.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method includes identifying an upcoming content modification opportunity on a channel. The method also includes responsive to identifying the upcoming content modification opportunity on the channel, identifying a group of multiple content-presentation devices tuned to the channel. The method also includes using, at least in part, an amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine an amount of system resources to request. The method also includes requesting the determined amount of system resources for use in performing actions that facilitate at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-modification operations.

In another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium has stored thereon program instructions that, upon execution by a processor, cause performance of a set of operations. The set of operations includes identifying an upcoming content modification opportunity on a channel. The set of operations also includes responsive to identifying the upcoming content modification opportunity on the channel, identifying a group of multiple content-presentation devices tuned to the channel. The set of operations also includes using, at least in part, an amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine an amount of system resources to request. The set of operations also includes requesting the determined amount of system resources for use in performing actions that facilitate at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-modification operations.

In another aspect, a computing system includes a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon program instructions that, upon execution by the processor, cause performance of a set of operations. The set of operations includes identifying an upcoming content modification opportunity on a channel. The set of operations also includes responsive to identifying the upcoming content modification opportunity on the channel, identifying a group of multiple content-presentation devices tuned to the channel. The set of operations also includes using, at least in part, an amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine an amount of system resources to request. The set of operations also includes requesting the determined amount of system resources for use in performing actions that facilitate at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-modification operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example content-modification system in which various described principles can be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an example computing system in which various described principles can be implemented.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of example linear sequences of content and related concepts.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, and 4F collectively make up a table showing example time-periods and corresponding operations that can be performed in connection with the example content-modification system.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview

To deliver and present content to end-users, a content provider can transmit the content to one or more content-distribution systems, each of which can in turn transmit the content to one or more respective content-presentation devices to be output for presentation to respective end-users. Such a hierarchical arrangement can facilitate convenient, widespread distribution of content.

By way of example, in order for a video content provider to deliver video content to end-users throughout the United States, the video content provider can transmit the video content by satellite or another medium to content-distribution systems that serve respective designated market areas (DMAs) within the United States. Each such content-distribution system can therefore receive the national satellite feed carrying the video content and can transmit the video content to television sets and/or set-top boxes in the content-distribution system's DMA, such that the video content can be output for presentation to respective end-users in that DMA. In practice, these content-distribution systems and their means of transmission to content-presentation devices can take various forms. For instance, a content-distribution system can be associated with a cable-television provider and can transmit video content to content-presentation devices of end-users who are cable-television subscribers through hybrid fiber/coaxial cable connections.

As such, in various scenarios, a content-distribution system can transmit content to a content-presentation device, which can receive and output the content for presentation to an end-user. In some situations, even though the content-presentation device receives content from the content-distribution system, it can be desirable for the content-presentation device to perform a content-modification operation so that the content-presentation device can output for presentation alternative content instead of at least a portion of that received content.

For example, in the case where the content-presentation device receives a linear sequence of content segments that includes a given advertisement segment positioned somewhere within the sequence, it can be desirable for the content-presentation device to replace the given advertisement segment with a different advertisement segment that is perhaps more targeted to the end-user (e.g., more targeted to the end-user's interests, demographics, etc.). As another example, it can be desirable for the content-presentation device to overlay on the given advertisement segment, overlay content that enhances the given advertisement segment in a way that is again perhaps more targeted to the end-user. The described content-modification system can facilitate providing these and other related features.

In practice, multiple components of the content-modification system can work in conjunction to deliver supplemental content (e.g., a replacement advertisement segment) to a content-presentation device for the content-presentation device to use the supplemental content in connection with performing a content-modification operation. For example, once the content-presentation device determines the start-time and end-time of an upcoming content modification opportunity, the content-presentation device can transmit, to a content-management system of the content-modification system, a request for supplemental content. The content-management system can then use the request, and perhaps additional data such as historical content consumption or demographic data for that content-presentation device, to select supplemental content from among multiple available supplemental content items. Having selected the supplemental content, the content-management system can cause the selected supplemental content to be transmitted to the content-presentation device. For example, the content-management system can request a link to the supplemental content from a supplemental-content delivery system that is hosting the selected supplemental content. The content-management system can receive the link and send it to the content-presentation device for the content-presentation device to then use to retrieve the supplemental content from the supplemental-content delivery system.

The content-management system and supplemental-content delivery system can include or be in communication with other computing systems (e.g., servers, databases) that host the supplemental content and/or otherwise assist with the processing needed to select and deliver desired supplemental content to content-presentation devices. These other computing systems can be part of the content-modification system or can be external, third-party computing systems with which the content-modification system can communicate and interact, such as via one or more application programming interfaces (APIs). As a more specific example, to help select supplemental content for content-presentation devices, the content-management system can launch, or request a third-party computing system to launch, one or more instances of physical or virtual servers running a software application that has supplemental content selection logic. As another example, the supplemental-content delivery system can launch, or request a third-party computing system to launch, one or more instances of physical or virtual servers running a software application that has logic for receiving and responding to requests for links to supplemental content and/or logic for retrieving supplemental content for content-presentation devices. Other examples are possible as well. Furthermore, in these and other examples, a certain amount of available memory, computer processing unit (CPU) usage, bandwidth, and/or processing cycles can be allocated for use in each instance performing its respective operations.

In some situations, it might be desirable for the content-modification system to request a group of numerous (e.g., hundreds or thousands) content-presentation devices to perform a content-modification operation with respect to an upcoming content modification opportunity on a channel to which each content-presentation device is tuned. For example, the content-modification system can select a replacement advertisement segment that is targeted to hundreds or thousands of end-users of a particular demographic. As such, the content-presentation devices would ideally retrieve the replacement advertisement segment and timely replace a given advertisement segment with the replacement advertisement segment.

However, situations such as these can require a large amount of time, processing power, and/or other resources from the content-management system and/or supplemental-content delivery system (and thus, from the other computing systems associated therewith) in order to timely select and deliver supplemental content to that group of numerous content-presentation devices. Thus, if not enough resources are available, the content-management system or supplemental-content delivery system might not be able to select or deliver desired supplemental content to all of the content-presentation devices in time for those content-presentation devices to perform respective content-modification operations at the upcoming opportunity. As a result, at least some of the numerous content-presentation devices might miss out on an opportunity to provide targeted content to end-users.

The present disclosure provides an improved content-modification system that uses an amount of content-presentation devices tuned to a channel as a basis for requesting a particular amount of resources (hereinafter referred to as “system resources”) for use in the content-modification system performing actions that help those content-presentation devices perform respective content-modification operations in connection with an upcoming content modification opportunity on that channel. For example, if the content-modification system identifies a group of five hundred content-presentation devices tuned to a channel on which an upcoming content modification opportunity has been identified, the content-modification system can use that amount of content-presentation devices as a basis for determining how many server instances, processing cycles, and/or other system resources to request for use in selecting and delivering supplemental content to at least a portion of the group of five hundred content-presentation devices. As a result, the chances of at least a portion of the identified group of content-presentation devices successfully and timely performing respective content-modification operations can be increased, thus improving user experience and the reliability of the content-modification system.

The amount of system resources to request can also be determined based on additional factors as well, such as historical data indicating how likely the content-presentation devices are to remain on the channel. For example, if the content-modification system determines that one hundred of the five hundred content-presentation devices are likely to change channels, the content-modification system might request an amount of system resources suitable for facilitating the other four hundred content-presentation devices performing respective content-modification operations. Thus, the chances of those four hundred content-presentation devices successfully and timely performing respective content-modification operations can be increased without requesting more system resources than necessary. Other examples are possible as well.

II. Architecture A. Content-Modification System

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example content-modification system 100. The content-modification system 100 can include various components, such as a content-distribution system 102, a content-presentation device 104, a fingerprint-matching server 106, a content-management system 108, a data-management system 110, and/or a supplemental-content delivery system 112.

The content-modification system 100 can also include one or more connection mechanisms that connect various components within the content-modification system 100. For example, the content-modification system 100 can include the connection mechanisms represented by lines connecting components of the content-modification system 100, as shown in FIG. 1.

In this disclosure, the term “connection mechanism” means a mechanism that connects and facilitates communication between two or more components, devices, systems, or other entities. A connection mechanism can be or include a relatively simple mechanism, such as a cable or system bus, and/or a relatively complex mechanism, such as a packet-based communication network (e.g., the Internet). In some instances, a connection mechanism can be or include a non-tangible medium, such as in the case where the connection is at least partially wireless. In this disclosure, a connection can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, the latter being a connection that passes through and/or traverses one or more entities, such as a router, switcher, or other network device. Likewise, in this disclosure, communication (e.g., a transmission or receipt of data) can be a direct or indirect communication.

The content-modification system 100 and/or components thereof can take the form of a computing system, an example of which is described below.

Notably, in practice, the content-modification system 100 is likely to include many instances of at least some of the described components. For example, the content-modification 100 is likely to include many content-distribution systems and many content-presentation devices.

B. Computing System

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an example computing system 200. The computing system 200 can be configured to perform and/or can perform one or more operations, such as the operations described in this disclosure. The computing system 200 can include various components, such as a processor 202, a data-storage unit 204, a communication interface 206, and/or a user interface 208.

The processor 202 can be or include a general-purpose processor (e.g., a microprocessor) and/or a special-purpose processor (e.g., a digital signal processor). The processor 202 can execute program instructions included in the data-storage unit 204 as described below.

The data-storage unit 204 can be or include one or more volatile, non-volatile, removable, and/or non-removable storage components, such as magnetic, optical, and/or flash storage, and/or can be integrated in whole or in part with the processor 202. Further, the data-storage unit 204 can be or include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon program instructions (e.g., compiled or non-compiled program logic and/or machine code) that, upon execution by the processor 202, cause the computing system 200 and/or another computing system to perform one or more operations, such as the operations described in this disclosure. These program instructions can define, and/or be part of, a discrete software application.

In some instances, the computing system 200 can execute program instructions in response to receiving an input, such as an input received via the communication interface 206 and/or the user interface 208. The data-storage unit 204 can also store other data, such as any of the data described in this disclosure.

The communication interface 206 can allow the computing system 200 to connect with and/or communicate with another entity according to one or more protocols. Therefore, the computing system 200 can transmit data to, and/or receive data from, one or more other entities according to one or more protocols. In one example, the communication interface 206 can be or include a wired interface, such as an Ethernet interface or a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI). In another example, the communication interface 206 can be or include a wireless interface, such as a cellular or WI-FI interface.

The user interface 208 can allow for interaction between the computing system 200 and a user of the computing system 200. As such, the user interface 208 can be or include an input component such as a keyboard, a mouse, a remote controller, a microphone, and/or a touch-sensitive panel. The user interface 208 can also be or include an output component such as a display device (which, for example, can be combined with a touch-sensitive panel) and/or a sound speaker.

The computing system 200 can also include one or more connection mechanisms that connect various components within the computing system 200. For example, the computing system 200 can include the connection mechanisms represented by lines that connect components of the computing system 200, as shown in FIG. 2.

The computing system 200 can include one or more of the above-described components and can be configured or arranged in various ways. For example, the computing system 200 can be configured as a server and/or a client (or perhaps a cluster of servers and/or a cluster of clients) operating in one or more server-client type arrangements, for instance.

As noted above, the content-modification system 100 and/or components thereof can take the form of a computing system, such as the computing system 200. In some cases, some or all these entities can take the form of a more specific type of computing system. For instance, in the case of the content-presentation device 104, it can take the form of a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, a mobile phone, a television set, a set-top box, a television set with an integrated set-top box, a media dongle, or a television set with a media dongle connected to it, among other possibilities.

III. Example Operations

The content-modification system 100 and/or components thereof can be configured to perform and/or can perform one or more operations. Examples of these operations and related features will now be described.

As noted above, in practice, the content-modification system 100 is likely to include many instances of at least some of the described components. Likewise, in practice, it is likely that at least some of described operations will be performed many times (perhaps on a routine basis and/or in connection with additional instances of the described components).

A. Operations Related to the Content-Distribution System Transmitting Content and the Content-Presenting Device Receiving and Outputting Content

For context, general operations and examples related to the content-distribution system 102 transmitting content and the content-presentation device 104 receiving and outputting content will now be described.

To begin, the content-distribution system 102 can transmit content (e.g., that it received from a content provider) to one or more entities such as the content-presentation device 104. Content can be or include audio content and/or video content, for example. In some examples, content can take the form of a linear sequence of content segments (e.g., program segments and advertisement segments) or a portion thereof. In the case of video content, a portion of the video content may be one or more frames, for example.

The content-distribution system 102 can transmit content on one or more channels (sometimes referred to as stations or feeds). As such, the content-distribution system 102 can be associated with a single channel content distributor or a multi-channel content distributor such as a multi-channel video program distributor (MVPD).

The content-distribution system 102 and its means of transmission of content on the channel to the content-presentation device 104 can take various forms. By way of example, the content-distribution system 102 can be or include a cable-television head-end that is associated with a cable-television provider and that transmits the content on the channel to the content-presentation device 104 through hybrid fiber/coaxial cable connections. As another example, the content-distribution system 102 can be or include a satellite-television head-end that is associated with a satellite-television provider and that transmits the content on the channel to the content-presentation device 104 through a satellite transmission. As yet another example, the content-distribution system 102 can be or include a television-broadcast station that is associated with a television-broadcast provider and that transmits the content on the channel through a terrestrial over-the-air interface to the content-presentation device 104. In these and other examples, the content-distribution system 102 can transmit the content in the form of an analog or digital broadcast stream representing the content.

The content-presentation device 104 can receive content from one or more entities, such as the content-distribution system 102. In one example, the content-presentation device 104 can select (e.g., by tuning to) a channel from among multiple available channels, perhaps based on input received via a user interface, such that the content-presentation device 104 can receive content on the selected channel.

In some examples, the content-distribution system 102 can transmit content to the content-presentation device 104, which the content-presentation device 104 can receive, and therefore the transmitted content and the received content can be the same. However, in other examples, they can be different, such as where the content-distribution system 102 transmits content to the content-presentation device 104, but the content-presentation device 104 does not receive the content and instead receives different content from a different content-distribution system.

The content-presentation device 104 can also output content for presentation. As noted above, the content-presentation device 104 can take various forms. In one example, in the case where the content-presentation device 104 is a television set (perhaps with an integrated set-top box and/or media dongle), outputting the content for presentation can involve the television set outputting the content via a user interface (e.g., a display device and/or a sound speaker), such that it can be presented to an end-user. As another example, in the case where the content-presentation device 104 is a set-top box or a media dongle, outputting the content for presentation can involve the set-top box or the media dongle outputting the content via a communication interface (e.g., an HDMI interface), such that it can be received by a television set and in turn output by the television set for presentation to an end-user.

As such, in various scenarios, the content-distribution system 102 can transmit content to the content-presentation device 104, which can receive and output the content for presentation to an end-user. In some situations, even though the content-presentation device 104 receives content from the content-distribution system 102, it can be desirable for the content-presentation device 104 to perform a content-modification operation so that the content-presentation device 104 can output for presentation alternative content instead of at least a portion of that received content.

For example, in the case where the content-presentation device 104 receives a linear sequence of content segments that includes a given advertisement segment positioned somewhere within the sequence, it can be desirable for the content-presentation device 104 to replace the given advertisement segment with a different advertisement segment that is perhaps more targeted to the end-user (i.e., more targeted to the end-user's interests, demographics, etc.). As another example, it can be desirable for the content-presentation device 104 to overlay on the given advertisement segment, overlay content that enhances the given advertisement segment in a way that is again perhaps more targeted to the end-user. The described content-modification system 100 can facilitate providing these and other related features.

As noted above, in one example, content can take the form of a linear sequence of content segments. As such, in one example, the content-distribution system 102 can transmit a linear sequence of content segments. This is referred to herein as a “transmission sequence.” Likewise, the content-presentation device 104 can receive a linear sequence of content segments. This is referred to herein as a “receipt sequence.” In line with the discussion above, the transmission sequence and the receipt sequence can be the same or they can be different.

FIG. 3 illustrates some examples of these concepts. In one example, the transmission sequence is the TRANSMISSION SEQUENCE 302 shown in FIG. 3. As shown, the TRANSMISSION SEQUENCE 302 includes a PROGRAM SEGMENT A, followed by an AD SEGMENT B, followed by an AD SEGMENT C.

Likewise, in one example, the receipt sequence is the RECEIPT SEQUENCE 304 shown in FIG. 3. In this example, the content-distribution system 102 transmits the TRANSMISSION SEQUENCE 302 to the content-presentation device 104, which the content-presentation device 104 receives as the RECEIPT SEQUENCE 304, and therefore the TRANSMISSION SEQUENCE 302 and the RECEIPT SEQUENCE 304 are the same. As such, as shown, the RECEIPT SEQUENCE 304 also includes the PROGRAM SEGMENT A, followed by the AD SEGMENT B, followed by the AD SEGMENT C.

In FIG. 3, the transmission time of the TRANSMISSION SEQUENCE 302 and the receipt time of the RECEIPT SEQUENCE 304 are shown by way of their relationship to a TIMELINE 350. Notably, the transmission time and the receipt time are offset from each other due to a content-transmission delay, which is described in greater detail below.

As noted above, in some situations, even though the content-presentation device 104 receives content from the content-distribution system 102, it can be desirable for the content-presentation device 104 to perform a content-modification operation so that the content-presentation device 104 can output for presentation alternative content instead of at least a portion of that received content. For example, in the case where the content-presentation device 104 receives the receipt sequence, rather than outputting for presentation the receipt sequence, the content-presentation device 104 can output for presentation a modified version of the receipt sequence instead. This is referred to herein as a “modified sequence.”

For example, in the case where the receipt sequence includes a given advertisement segment positioned somewhere within the receipt sequence, it can be desirable for the content-presentation device 104 to replace the given advertisement segment with a different advertisement segment that is perhaps more targeted to the end-user (i.e., more targeted to the end-user's interests, demographics, etc.), thereby resulting in a modified sequence that the content-presentation device 104 can output for presentation.

To illustrate this, in one example, the modified sequence is the FIRST MODIFIED SEQUENCE 306 shown in FIG. 3. As shown, the FIRST MODIFIED SEQUENCE 306 includes the PROGRAM SEGMENT A, followed by the AD SEGMENT D (which replaced the AD SEGMENT B), followed by the AD SEGMENT C.

As another example, it can be desirable for the content-presentation device 104 to overlay, on the given advertisement segment, overlay content that enhances the given advertisement segment in a way that is again perhaps more targeted to the end-user, thereby resulting in a modified sequence that the content-presentation device 104 can output for presentation.

To illustrate this, in another example, the modified sequence is the SECOND MODIFIED SEQUENCE 308 shown in FIG. 3. As shown, the SECOND MODIFIED SEQUENCE 308 includes the PROGRAM SEGMENT A, followed by the AD SEGMENT B′ (which is the AD SEGMENT B modified with overlay content), followed by the AD SEGMENT C.

Other portions of FIG. 3 will be described later in this disclosure as related concepts are introduced and described.

Moving on in view of the context provided above, FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, and 4F, collectively make up a table showing example time-periods and corresponding operations that can be performed in connection with the content-modification system 100. These and other related operations will now be described.

B. Operations Related to the Content-Distribution System Transmitting First Content on a Channel

During a time-period T1, the content-distribution system 102 can transmit content on a channel to the content-presentation device 104. This content is referred to herein as “first content.” In one example, the first content is the FIRST CONTENT 310 shown in FIG. 3.

During a time-period T2, the content-distribution system 102 can generate fingerprint data representing the first content. This fingerprint data is referred to herein as “first fingerprint data.” The content-distribution system 102 can generate the first fingerprint data using any content fingerprinting process now known or later developed. An example fingerprint generation technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,495,451 issued Nov. 15, 2016, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The content-distribution system 102 can generate first fingerprint data at a given rate, such as at the rate of one fingerprint per frame of the first content. The first fingerprint data can be or include some or all of these generated fingerprints.

The content-distribution system 102 can access the first content at various points within the content-distribution system 102. As one example, the content-distribution system 102 can access the first content after it is output by a distribution amplifier within the content-distribution system 102.

Also during the time-period T2, the content-distribution system 102 can generate metadata associated with the first content and/or the first fingerprint data. This metadata is referred to herein as “first metadata.” In one example, the first metadata can be or include a transmission time-stamp, which represents a time-point at which the content-distribution system 102 transmitted the first content. The content-distribution system 102 can determine the transmission time-stamp in various ways, such as based on a time clock that is synchronized to a reference clock.

As another example, the first metadata can be or include a channel identifier, which identifies the channel on which the content-distribution system 102 is transmitting the first content. The content-distribution system 102 can determine the channel identifier in various ways such as based on mapping data that maps the content-distribution system 102 and/or physical inputs and/or outputs within the content-distribution system 102 to respective channel identifiers. In one example, in the case where the content-distribution system 102 transmits content A on channel A, content B on channel B, and content C on channel C, the mapping data can specify which of three different outputs (perhaps on three different distribution amplifiers) maps to which channel identifier, such that the content-distribution system 102 can determine the appropriate channel identifier for content of a given channel.

As another example, the first metadata can be or include SCTE-104 data, a watermark, or a similar type of metadata, any of which can themselves encode other metadata, such as a program identifier, an advertisement identifier (e.g., an industry standard coding identification (ISCI) key), a program genre, or another type of textual or numeric metadata, for instance.

The content-distribution system 102 can associate the first fingerprint data with the first metadata in various ways. For instance, in the case where the first fingerprint data includes multiple fingerprints with each fingerprint representing a corresponding frame of the first content, the content-distribution system 102 can associate each fingerprint with a corresponding transmission time-stamp and/or with other corresponding first metadata.

During a time-period T3, the content-distribution system 102 can transmit the first fingerprint data and the first metadata to the fingerprint-matching server 106. The content-distribution system 102 can transmit the first fingerprint data and the first metadata at a given interval. For example, every two seconds, the content-distribution system 102 can transmit the first fingerprint data and the first metadata that it generated during that most recent two-second time-period.

C. Operations Related to the Content-Presentation Device Receiving Second Content

During a time-period T4, the content-presentation device 104 can receive content from the content-distribution system 102. This content is referred to herein as “second content.” In one example, the second content is the SECOND CONTENT 312 shown in FIG. 3.

During a time-period T5, the content-presentation device 104 can generate fingerprint data representing the second content. This fingerprint data is referred to herein as “second fingerprint data.” The content-presentation device 104 can generate the second fingerprint data using any content fingerprinting process now known or later developed. The content-presentation device 104 can generate the second fingerprint data at various rates, such as at the rate of one fingerprint per frame of the second content. The second fingerprint data can be or include some or all of these generated fingerprints.

The content-presentation device 104 can access the second content at various points within the content-presentation device 104. As one example, the content-presentation device 104 can access the second content as it is being received by an input buffer (e.g., an HDMI buffer) of the content-presentation device 104. In another configuration, the content-presentation device 104 can access the second content as it is being received by a display buffer of the content-presentation device 104. In this configuration, the second content can therefore be content that the content-presentation device 104 not only receives, but also outputs for presentation.

Also during the time-period T5, the content-presentation device 104 can generate metadata associated with the second content and/or the second fingerprint data. This metadata is referred to herein as “second metadata.” As one example, the second metadata can be or include a receipt time-stamp, which represents a time-point at which the content-presentation device 104 received the second content. The content-presentation device 104 can determine the receipt time-stamp in various ways, such as based on a time clock that is synchronized to a reference clock. As noted above, the content-presentation device 104 can access the second content at various points within the content-presentation device 104. In one example, the point at which the second content is accessed can be considered the “receipt” point for purposes of determining the receipt time-stamp.

In practice, while the first metadata is likely to be or include a channel identifier, the second metadata is likely to not be nor include a channel identifier.

The content-presentation device 104 can associate the second fingerprint data with the second metadata in various ways. For instance, where the second fingerprint data includes multiple fingerprints with each fingerprint representing a corresponding frame of second content, the content-presentation device 104 can associate each second fingerprint with a corresponding receipt time-stamp and/or other corresponding metadata.

During a time-period T6, the content-presentation device 104 can transmit the second fingerprint data and the second metadata to the fingerprint-matching server 106. The content-presentation device 104 can transmit the second fingerprint data and the second metadata at a given interval. For example, every two seconds, the content-presentation device 104 can transmit the second fingerprint data and the second metadata that it generated during that most recent two-second time-period.

D. Operations Related to Identifying a Channel on Which the Content-Presentation Device is Receiving the Second Content

During a time-period T7, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can receive the first fingerprint data and the first metadata from the content-distribution system 102. As noted above, the first fingerprint data represents the first content transmitted by the content-distribution system 102 on the channel. As noted above, the first metadata can, and for the purposes of this described example does, identify the channel. In this way, the first content can be considered as content being transmitted on an identified channel.

During a time-period T8, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can receive the second fingerprint data and the second metadata from the content-presentation device 104. As noted above, the second fingerprint data represents the second content received by the content-presentation device 104. However, as noted above, the associated metadata may not, and for the purposes of this described example does not, identify the channel. In this way, the second content can be considered as content being received on an unidentified channel.

During a time-period T9, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can compare the first fingerprint data and the second fingerprint data to determine whether there is a match. In this disclosure, this type of match attempt, namely a match attempt between (i) reference fingerprint data representing content being transmitted on an identified channel and (ii) query fingerprint data representing content being received on an unidentified channel, is referred to herein as a “cold match attempt.”

During a time-period T10, based on the comparing, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can detect a match between the first fingerprint data and the second fingerprint data. The fingerprint-matching server 106 can compare and/or detect a match between fingerprint data using any content fingerprint comparing and matching technique now known or later developed. An example fingerprint comparing and matching technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,146,990 issued Sep. 29, 2015, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

To effectively compare the first fingerprint data and the second fingerprint data, the fingerprint-matching server 106 may need to account for a content-transmission delay. For context, in the case where the content-distribution system 102 transmits a given frame of content on a given channel at a time-point A, for various reasons, the content-presentation device 104 may not receive that frame until a time-point B that is later (e.g., ten seconds later) than the time-point A. This type of delay is referred to herein as a “content-transmission delay.”

In one example, the time-point A, the time-point B, and the content-transmission delay can be the TIME-POINT A 314, the TIME-POINT B 316, and the CONTENT-TRANSMISSION DELAY 318, respectively, shown FIG. 3. Note that FIG. 3 is for illustration purposes and is not necessarily to scale at least with respect to time. In practice, the actual amount of content-transmission delay may be different from the amount shown.

To help the fingerprint-matching server 106 effectively compare the first fingerprint data with the second fingerprint data, the fingerprint-matching server 106 may need to account for such a content-transmission delay. In one example, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can do this by comparing the first fingerprint data that it receives at a receipt time-point with the second fingerprint data that it receives during a time-period defined by a starting time-point and an ending time-point. The starting time-point can be the receipt time-point plus an offset representing an anticipated content-transmission delay (e.g., ten seconds), minus a tolerance a time-period (e.g., two seconds). The ending time-point can be the receipt time-point plus the offset (e.g., ten seconds), plus the tolerance a time-period (e.g., two seconds). As such, in one example where the anticipated content-transmission delay is 10 seconds, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can compare first fingerprint data that it receives at a receipt time-point with second fingerprint data that it receives during a time-period between (i) the receipt time-point plus eight seconds and (ii) receipt time-point plus twelve seconds.

In some cases, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can determine a content-transmission delay, which it can use to select an appropriate offset for use in determining the starting and ending time-points, as described above. The fingerprint-matching server 106 can determine the content-transmission delay in various ways. For example, after the fingerprint-matching server 106 detects a match based on a cold match attempt, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can determine the content-transmission delay as a difference between the corresponding transmission time-stamp (of the first metadata) and the corresponding receipt time-stamp (of the second metadata), for example. Notably, the content-transmission delay can vary from channel to channel.

During a time-period T11, based on the detected match, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can identify the channel on which the second content is being received by the content-presentation device 104. In one example, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can identify the channel based on the channel identifier metadata associated with the first fingerprint data used to detect the match.

Notably, in practice, since there are likely to be multiple potential channels on which the content-presentation device 104 is receiving the second content, the fingerprint-matching server 106 is likely to compare the second fingerprint data with multiple instances of first fingerprint data (each representing a different respective instance of first content on a different respective channel), to determine which of those multiple instances matches the second fingerprint data.

Also, in some cases, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can detect a match between the second fingerprint data and each of multiple instances of first fingerprint data (each representing a different respective instance of first content on a different respective channel). This is referred to herein as a “multimatch scenario” and can occur for various reasons. For example, this can occur when the content-distribution system 102 is transmitting the same or similar content on more than one channel at or about the same time. In this scenario, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can perform additional operations to identity, from among the multiple channels associated with the multimatch scenario, on which specific channel the content-presentation device 104 is receiving the second content. The fingerprint-matching server 106 can do this using any channel multimatch disambiguation technique now known or later developed. An example channel multimatch disambiguation technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,992,533 issued Jun. 5, 2018, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

E. Operations Related to Determining Historical Content Consumption Data

During a time-period T12, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can generate metadata associated with the identified channel. For example, the metadata can be or include a channel identification time-stamp. The fingerprint-matching server 106 can determine the channel identification time-stamp in various ways, such as based on a time clock that is synchronized to a reference clock. In another example, the metadata can be or include a device identifier that identifies the content-presentation device 104 that is receiving content on the identified channel. The fingerprint-matching server 106 can determine the device identifier in various ways, such as by receiving it from the content-presentation device 104. In another example, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can receive data (e.g., device registration data) from the content-presentation device 104 and can use mapping data to map the received data to determine the device identifier.

During a time-period T13, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can transmit an indication of the identified channel and the associated metadata to the data-management system 110.

During a time-period T14, the data-management system 110 can receive the indication of the identified channel and the associated metadata from the fingerprint-matching server 106.

The data-management system 110 can use the received indication of the identified channel and the associated metadata, perhaps with other data, to determine when the content-presentation device 104 has received content on the identified channel, what specific content the content-presentation device 104 has received, etc. This type of data is referred to herein as “historical content consumption data.”

As such, during a time-period T15, the data-management system 110 can determine historical content consumption data associated with the content-presentation device 104.

F. Operations Related to the Content-Distribution System Transmitting Third Content

As noted above, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can identify the channel on which the content-presentation device 104 is receiving the second content.

During a time-period T16, the content-distribution system 102 can transmit content on the identified channel to the content-presentation device 104. This content is referred to herein as “third content.” In one example, the third content is the THIRD CONTENT 320 shown in FIG. 3. In practice, the content-distribution system 102 is likely to transmit the third content shortly after (e.g., immediately after or a few seconds or minutes after) transmitting the first content.

During a time-period T17, the content-distribution system 102 can generate fingerprint data representing the third content. This fingerprint data is referred to herein as “third fingerprint data.”

Also during the time-period T17, the content-distribution system 102 can generate metadata associated with the third content and/or the third fingerprint data. This metadata is referred to herein as “third metadata.” The content-distribution system 102 can also associate the third fingerprint data with the third metadata.

During a time-period T18, the content-distribution system 102 can transmit the third fingerprint data and the third metadata to the fingerprint-matching server 106.

The content-distribution system 102 can transmit the third content, generate the third fingerprint data, generate the third metadata, associate the third fingerprint data with the third metadata, and transmit the third fingerprint data and the third metadata in various ways, such as ways that are the same as or similar to those described above in connection with transmitting the first content, generating the first fingerprint data, generating the first metadata, associating the first fingerprint data with the first metadata, and transmitting the first fingerprint data and the first metadata.

G. Operations Related to the Content-Management System Receiving a Modifiable Content-Segment

During a time-period T19, the content-management system 108 can receive content in the form of a content segment that has been identified as a candidate to be modified. This content is referred to herein as a “modifiable content-segment” or “fourth content.” In one example, the modifiable content-segment is the MODIFIABLE CONTENT-SEGMENT shown in FIG. 3.

The modifiable content-segment can take various forms. For example, the modifiable content-segment can be an advertisement segment (e.g., a commercial) or a program segment. As such, in one example, the modifiable content-segment can be an advertisement segment that has been identified as a candidate to be modified, perhaps by way of being replaced with a different advertisement segment, and/or by way of having content overlaid thereon.

In one example, a user, perhaps associated with the content-distribution system 102, can facilitate uploading the modifiable content-segment to the content-management system 108, such that the content-management system 108 can receive it in this way.

During a time-period T20, the content-management system 108 can generate fingerprint data representing the modifiable content-segment. This fingerprint data is referred to herein as “fourth fingerprint data.” The content-management system 108 can generate the fourth fingerprint data using any fingerprint generation technique now known or later developed. The content-management system 108 can generate the fourth fingerprint data at a given rate, such as at the rate of one fingerprint per frame of the fourth content. The fourth fingerprint data can be or include some or all of these generated fingerprints.

Also during the time-period T20, the content-management system 108 can generate metadata associated with the modifiable content-segment and/or the fourth fingerprint data. This metadata is referred to herein as “fourth metadata.” As one example, the fourth metadata can be or include a duration of the modifiable content-segment. The content-management system 108 can determine the duration in various ways, such as based on the fingerprint generation process. For example, in the case where the content-management system 108 generating the fourth fingerprint data involves generating one fingerprint per frame, where the modifiable content-segment has a frame rate of 30 frames per second, and where the fingerprinting process results in 300 fingerprints being generated, the content-management system 108 can deduce that the modifiable content-segment has a duration of ten seconds. The metadata can also be or include other information about the modifiable content-segment, such as a content segment identifier, a title, and/or specifics about permissible ways in which the modifiable content-segment can be modified, etc.

During a time-period T21, the content-management system 108 can transmit the fourth fingerprint data and the fourth metadata to the fingerprint-matching server 106.

In practice, the content-management system 108 is likely to receive many modifiable content-segments. In such situations, the content-management system 108 can perform one or more of the operations described above, as appropriate for each of the many received modifiable content-segments. As such, the content-management system 108 can transmit many instances of fourth fingerprint data, each corresponding with a different respective modifiable content-segment, to the fingerprint-matching server 106.

H. Operations Related to the Fingerprint-Matching Server Identifying an Upcoming Content Modification Opportunity on the Identified Channel

During a time-period T22, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can receive the third fingerprint data and the third metadata from the content-distribution system 102. As noted above, the third fingerprint data represents the third content transmitted by the content-distribution system 102 on the identified channel.

During a time-period T23, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can receive the fourth fingerprint data and the fourth metadata from the content-management system 108. As noted above, the fourth fingerprint data represents the modifiable content-segment.

During a time-period T24, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can compare at least a portion of the third fingerprint data with at least a portion of the fourth fingerprint data to determine whether there is a match.

During a time-period T25, based on the comparing, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can detect a match between the at least a portion of the third fingerprint data and the at least a portion of the fourth fingerprint data. The fingerprint-matching server 106 can compare and/or detect a match between fingerprint data using any content fingerprint comparing and matching process now known or later developed.

During a time-period T26, based on the detected match, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can determine that at least a portion of the modifiable content-segment is included within the third content, and therefore can identify an upcoming content modification opportunity on the identified channel. For example, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can determine that at least a beginning portion of the MODIFIABLE CONTENT-SEGMENT is included within the THIRD CONTENT 320, as shown in FIG. 3, and therefore can identify an upcoming content modification opportunity.

As noted above, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can generate third metadata, which can be the same as or similar to the first metadata. As such, the third metadata can be or include a transmission time-stamp and/or a channel identifier, for example. However, the third metadata can also be or include a position of at least a portion of the modifiable content-segment within the third content. In one example, the metadata can specify this using a starting frame marker and an ending frame marker, each corresponding with a respective frame of the third content. The fingerprint-matching server 106 can determine the starting frame marker and the ending frame marker based on the matching.

Notably, in practice, since there are likely to be multiple potential modifiable content-segments where portions thereof could be included within the third content, the fingerprint-matching server 106 is likely to compare at least a portion of the third fingerprint data with at least a portion of multiple instances of fourth fingerprint data (each representing a different respective instance of a modifiable content-segment), to determine which of those multiple instances of the fourth fingerprint data has a portion that matches the at least a portion of the third fingerprint data.

I. Operations Related to Preparing the Content-Presentation Device to Perform a Content-Modification Operation in Connection with the Identified Upcoming Content Modification Opportunity

During a time-period T27, based on the detected match, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can transmit the third fingerprint data and the third metadata to the content-presentation device 104 data to facilitate preparing the content-presentation device 104 to perform a content-modification operation in connection with the identified upcoming content modification opportunity.

During a time-period T28, the content-presentation device 104 can receive the third fingerprint data and the third metadata from the fingerprint-matching server 106.

During a time-period T29, the content-presentation device 104 can receive content on the identified channel. This content is referred to herein as “fifth content.” In one example, the fifth content is the FIFTH CONTENT 324 shown in FIG. 3.

For various reasons (e.g., due to a transmission delay associated with transmitting fingerprint data and metadata being shorter that the content-transmission delay), the content-presentation device 104 can receive the third fingerprint data and the third metadata from the fingerprint-matching server 106 before receiving the fifth content from the content-distribution system 102. In this way, the content-presentation device 104 can receive fingerprint data representing content that the content-presentation device 104 is expecting to receive shortly thereafter, and that the content-presentation device should actually receive shortly thereafter unless an interruption event (e.g., a channel-change event) occurs.

In practice, similar to how the content-distribution system 102 is likely to transmit the third content shortly after (e.g., immediately after or a few seconds or minutes after) transmitting the first content, the content-presentation device 104 is likely to receive the fifth content shortly after (e.g., immediately after or a few seconds or minutes after) receiving the second content.

During a time-period T30, the content-presentation device 104 can output for presentation at least a portion of the fifth content. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the content-presentation device can output for presentation the portion of the FIFTH CONTENT 324 that is the end portion of the PROGRAM SEGMENT A.

As noted above, in some situations, even though the content-presentation device 104 receives content from the content-distribution system 102, it can be desirable for the content-presentation device 104 to perform a content-modification operation so that the content-presentation device 104 can output for presentation alternative content instead of at least a portion of the received content.

As such, even though the content-presentation device 104 receives the fifth content and outputs for presentation at least a portion of the fifth content, it can be desirable for the content-presentation device 104 to perform a content-modification operation so that the content-presentation device 104 can also output for presentation alternative content instead of at least another portion (e.g., the remaining portion) of the fifth content. For example, referring to FIG. 3, it can be desirable for the content-presentation 104 device to replace at least a portion of the AD SEGMENT B with at least a portion of a different advertisement segment that is perhaps more targeted to the end-user. As another example, it can be desirable for the content-presentation device 104 to overlay on at least a portion of the AD SEGMENT B, overlay content that enhances at least a portion of the AD SEGMENT B in a way that is again perhaps more targeted to the end-user.

During a time-period T31, the content-presentation device 104 can generate fingerprint data representing the fifth content. This fingerprint data is referred to herein as “fifth fingerprint data.” The content-distribution system 102 can generate the fifth fingerprint data using any content fingerprinting process now known or later developed. The content-presentation device 104 can generate the fifth fingerprint data at various rates, such as at the rate of one fingerprint per frame of the fifth content. The fifth fingerprint data can be or include some or all of these generated fingerprints.

Also during the time-period T31, the content-presentation device 104 can generate metadata associated with the fifth content and/or the fifth fingerprint data. This metadata is referred to herein as “fifth metadata.”

The content-presentation device 104 can receive the fifth content, generate the fifth fingerprint data, generate the fifth metadata, associate the fifth fingerprint data with the fifth metadata in various ways, such as ways that are the same as or similar to those described above in connection with receiving the second content, generating the second fingerprint data, generating the second metadata, and associating the second fingerprint data with the second metadata.

As noted above, the content-presentation device 104 can receive the third fingerprint data from the fingerprint-matching server 106 and can generate the fifth fingerprint data.

During a time-period T32, the content-presentation device 104 can compare the third fingerprint data and the fifth fingerprint data to determine whether there is a match.

During a time-period T33, based on the comparing, the content-presentation device 104 can detect a match between the third fingerprint data and the fifth fingerprint data. In this disclosure, this type of match attempt, namely a match attempt between (i) reference fingerprint data representing content transmitted by the content-distribution system 102 on an identified channel (at least based on the most recent channel identification analysis), and (ii) query fingerprint data representing content being received by the content-presentation device 104 on the same identified channel, is referred to herein as a “hot match attempt.” The fingerprint-matching server 106 can compare and/or detect a match between fingerprint data using any content fingerprint comparing and matching process now known or later developed.

During a time-period T34, based on the detected match, the content-presentation device 104 can determine a time-point at which the identified upcoming modification opportunity starts. This is referred to herein as the “modification start-time.” In one example, the modification start-time is the MODIFICATION START-TIME 326 as shown FIG. 3.

In one example, the content-presentation device 104 can determine the modification start-time by starting with the transmission time-stamp associated with the starting frame marker (which, as described above, can be or be included in the third metadata) and adding the content-transmission delay to that transmission time-stamp, to arrive at the modification start-time.

As another example, the content-presentation device 104 can determine the modification start-time by first establishing a synchronous lock between the third content, the third fingerprint data, and/or the third metadata on the one hand, and the fifth content, the third fifth fingerprint data, and/or the fifth metadata, on the other hand. The content-presentation device 104 can establish the synchronous lock using any synchronous lock technique now known or later developed. An example synchronous lock technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,506,275 issued Dec. 10, 2019, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Another example synchronous lock technique is described in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2020/0029108 published Jan. 23, 2020, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The content-presentation device 104 can then determine the modification start-time by determining a time-period between (i) a current receipt time-stamp associated with a first portion of the fifth content that the content-presentation device 104 is currently receiving and (ii) based on the synchronous lock, an anticipated receipt time-stamp associated with a second portion of the fifth content that is the start of the modifiable content-segment, and then adding the determined time-period to the current receipt time-stamp, to arrive at the modification start-time.

Also during the time-period T34, based on the detected match, the content-presentation device 104 can determine a time-point at which the identified upcoming modification opportunity ends. This is referred to herein as the “modification end-time.” In one example, the modification end-time is the MODIFICATION END-TIME 328 as shown FIG. 3.

In one example, the content-presentation device 104 can determine the modification end-time by starting with the modification start-time and adding the duration of the modifiable content-segment (which, as described above, can be or be included in the fourth metadata) to the modification start-time, to arrive at the modification end-time.

Notably, if the content-presentation device 104 performs a hot match attempt and does not detect a match, the content-presentation device 104 can determine that the content-presentation device 104 is no longer receiving content on the most recently identified channel. In response, the content-presentation device 104 can repeat one or more of the operations described above so that the fingerprint-matching server 106 can perform another cold match attempt, to attempt to identify the channel again.

During a time-period T35, the content-presentation device 104 can transmit a request for content for use in connection with performing the content-modification operation, to the content-management system 108. This content is referred to herein as “supplemental content.” In one example, the content-presentation device 104 can transmit the request before the modification start-time (e.g., ten seconds before). In some cases, the request can include selection criteria for the supplemental content, which the content-presentation device 104 can determine based on the third metadata that the content-presentation device 104 receives from the fingerprint-matching server 106, for instance.

For example, the selection criteria can specify a requested type of content (e.g., a replacement content segment or overlay content), duration (e.g., 15 seconds, 30 seconds, or 60 seconds), aspect ratio (e.g., 4:3 or 16:9), and/or resolution (e.g., 720p or 1080p).

During a time-period T36, the content-management system 108 can receive the request and use it as a basis to select supplemental content from among multiple supplemental content items that are available for selection. In some cases, the content-management system 108 can receive and consider various data to help inform which supplemental content to select. For example, the content-management system 108 can receive historical content consumption data for the content-presentation device 104 from the data-management system 110 and/or the content-management system 108 can receive demographic data from a demographic data provider. The content-management system 108 can then use at least the received historical content consumption data and/or the received demographic data as a basis to select the supplemental content.

The content-management system 108 can cause the selected supplemental content to be transmitted to the content-presentation device 104. In one example, the content-management system 108 can do this by communicating with a supplemental-content delivery system 112 that can host the supplemental content. The supplemental-content delivery system 112 can take various forms and can include various components, such as a content distribution network (CDN).

During a time-period T37, the content-management system 108 can transmit a request for a link (e.g., a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) or a Uniform Resource Locator (URL)) pointing to the hosted supplemental content, to the supplemental-content delivery system 112.

During a time-period T38, the supplemental-content delivery system 112 can receive and respond to the request for the link by transmitting the requested link to the content-management system 108.

During a time-period T39, the content-management system 108 can then in turn transmit the link to the content-presentation device 104.

During a time-period T40, the content-presentation device 104 can receive the link, which it can use to retrieve the supplemental content from the supplemental-content delivery system 112, such that the content-presentation device 104 can use the retrieved supplemental content in connection with performing the content-modification operation. In one example, the content-presentation device 104 can retrieve the supplemental content and store the supplemental content in a data-storage unit of the content-presentation device 104.

As such, in some examples, the content-presentation device 104 can receive the modifiable content-segment from one source (e.g., the content-distribution system 102), and the supplemental content from another source (e.g., the supplemental-content delivery system 112). These segments can be transmitted to, and received by, the content-presentation device 104 in different ways. For example, the content-distribution system 102 can transmit, and the content-presentation device 104 can receive, the modifiable content-segment as a broadcast stream transmission, whereas the supplemental-content delivery system 112 can transmit, and the content-presentation device 104 can receive, the supplemental content as an over-the-top (OTT) transmission. In this context, in one example, the content-distribution system 102 can receive the modifiable content-segment via one communication interface (e.g., an HDMI interface), and the content-presentation device 104 can receive the supplemental content via a different communication interface (e.g., an Ethernet or WI-FI interface).

J. Operations Related to the Content-Presentation Device Performing a Content-Modification Operation

At a time-period T41, the content-presentation device 104 can perform the content-modification operation. The content-presentation device 104 can do this in various ways, perhaps depending on the type of content-modification operation to be performed.

In one example, the content-presentation device 104 performing a content-modification operation can involve the content-presentation device 104 modifying the modifiable content-segment by replacing it with supplemental content. This is referred to herein as a “content-replacement operation.” For example, in this scenario, the content-presentation device 104 can receive a linear sequence of content segments that includes the modifiable content-segment and the associated metadata, and can also receive the supplemental content segment, as described above. The content-presentation device 104 can output for presentation the sequence of content segments up until the modification start-time (which corresponds to the start of the modifiable content-segment), at which time the content-presentation device 104 can switch to outputting for presentation the supplemental content instead. Then, at the modification end-time (which corresponds to the end of the modifiable content-segment), the content-presentation device 104 can switch back to outputting for presentation the content that follows in the linear sequence of content segments (or perhaps to other content, such as additional supplemental content that is replacing another modifiable content-segment).

In one example, the operation of the content-presentation device 104 switching from outputting the sequence of content segments to outputting the supplemental content can involve using various buffers of the content-presentation device 104. For example, this can involve the content-presentation device 104 switching from using first data in a first input buffer where the sequence of content segments is being received to using second data in a second input buffer where the supplemental content is being received, to populate a display buffer.

As such, according to one example as illustrated in FIG. 3, by performing a content replacement operation, the content-presentation device 104 can replace the AD SEGMENT B with the AD SEGMENT D. As a result, rather than outputting for presentation the RECEIPT SEQUENCE 304, the content-presentation device can instead output for presentation the FIRST MODIFIED SEQUENCE 306.

In another example, the content-presentation device 104 performing a content-modification operation can involve the content-presentation device 104 modifying a modifiable content-segment by overlaying on the modifiable content-segment, overlay content (referred to herein as a “content-overlay operation”). For example, in this scenario, the content-presentation device 104 can again receive a linear sequence of content segments that includes the modifiable content-segment and the associated metadata, and the content-presentation device 104 can also receive the supplemental content, as described above.

The content-presentation device 104 can then output for presentation the modifiable content-segment as it ordinarily would, except that starting at the modification start-time, the content-presentation device 104 can start overlaying the supplemental content on the modifiable content-segment. The content-presentation device 104 can continue overlaying the supplemental content until the modification end-time. In this way, the content-presentation device 104 can overlay the supplemental content during at least some temporal portion of the modifiable content-segment.

In one example, the operation of the content-presentation device 104 overlaying supplemental content on the modifiable content-segment can involve using various buffers of the content-presentation device 104. For example, this can involve the content-presentation device 104 using a portion of first data in a first input buffer where the sequence of content segments is being received together with second data in a second input buffer where the supplemental content is being received, for the purposes of populating a display buffer. In this way, the content-presentation device can combine relevant portions of the modifiable content-segment (i.e., all portions except those representing region where the supplemental content is to be overlaid) together with the supplemental content to be used as an overlay, to create the desired modifiable content-segment plus the supplemental content overlaid thereon.

As such, according to one example as illustrated in FIG. 3, by performing a content-overlay operation, the content-presentation device 104 can overlay supplemental content on the AD SEGMENT B, thereby modifying it to the AD SEGMENT B′. As a result, rather than outputting for presentation the RECEIPT SEQUENCE 304, the content-presentation device can instead output for presentation the SECOND MODIFIED SEQUENCE 308.

K. Tracking and Reporting Operation-Related Data

To help facilitate performance of various operations such as the content-presentation device 104 performing a content-modification operation and to help allow for the tracking and reporting of such operations, the content-modification system 100 and/or components thereof can track and report various operation-related data at various times and in various ways.

As just a few illustrative examples, responsive to certain operations being performed, such as those described herein, the fingerprint-matching server 106, the content-presentation device 104, and/or another entity can generate, store, and/or transmit messages that indicate (i) that a modifiable content-segment has been identified, (ii) that a channel has been identified/confirmed (perhaps based on a match detected as a result of a cold or hot match attempt), (iii) that an upcoming content modification opportunity on the identified channel has been identified, (iv) that supplemental content has been requested, (v) that supplemental content has been received, (vi), that a content-modification operation has started, (vii) that a content-modification operation has ended, and/or (viii) that a scheduled content-modification operation was aborted and/or not performed for any given reason. In some cases, these messages can include other metadata related to these operations. For example, the metadata can specify relevant timing information, device identifiers, channel identifiers, content segment identifiers, etc.

L. Watermark-Based Techniques

Although this disclosure has described the content-modification system 100 using fingerprint-based technology to perform various operations and to provide various features, in some examples, the content-modification system 100 can use watermark-based techniques instead of, or in addition to, fingerprint-based techniques, to perform these and other operations and to provide these and other features.

For example, as an alternative to the fingerprint-based technique described above in which the fingerprint-matching server 106 identifies the channel on which the second content is being received by the content-presentation device 104, the content-distribution system 102 or another entity can insert a channel identifier in the form of a watermark into the second content, such that the fingerprint-matching server 106, the content-presentation device 104, or another entity can extract the channel identifier and use it to identify the channel on which the second content is being received by the content-presentation device 104.

In this context, the content-modification system 100 can employ any watermark technique now known or later developed.

M. Operations Related to Requesting System Resources

Aspects of this disclosure also involve operations for requesting system resources for the content-modification system 100 to use in performing actions that facilitate performance of content-modification operations, particularly in situations where a group of content-presentation devices are tuned to a channel on which an upcoming content-modification opportunity has been identified. These operations will now be described in more detail. Although the following example operations will be described herein primarily as being performed by the fingerprint-matching server 106, other entities of the content-modification system 100 could perform one or more of such operations in alternative embodiments.

The fingerprint-matching server 106 can identify an upcoming content-modification opportunity on a channel. This can involve any one or more of the operations discussed above for identifying content modification opportunities.

In some examples, a component of the content-modification system 100 other than the fingerprint-matching server 106 might identify the upcoming content-modification opportunity on the channel. For instance, the content-management system 108 might receive, from the fingerprint-matching server 106, an indication of the upcoming content-modification opportunity.

In response to identifying the upcoming content-modification opportunity on the channel, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can identify a group of multiple content-presentation devices tuned to the channel.

Each content-presentation device of the group can be identified in one or more ways. In one example, to identify a content-presentation device, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can include or remotely access data (e.g., stored in a database) that includes a respective device identifier for each of a plurality of content-presentation devices, as well as indicates and updates, in real-time or near-real-time, the channel to which each content-presentation device is tuned.

In another example, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can detect, using one or more of the fingerprint matching processes described above, a match between reference fingerprint data and query fingerprint data received from the content-presentation device and identify the channel based on the detected match.

In another example, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can receive, from the content-presentation device itself, channel identifier metadata that identifies the channel and can interpret receipt of the channel identifier metadata as indicating that the content-presentation device is currently tuned to the channel. Other examples are possible as well.

In some implementations, the fingerprint-matching server 106 might store an indication that associates the device identifier of each content-presentation device of the group of content-presentation devices to a channel identifier of the channel.

Having identified the group of multiple content-presentation devices tuned to the channel, the content-modification system 100 (e.g., the fingerprint-matching server 106) can use, at least in part, an amount (e.g., a quantity) of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine an amount of system resources to request.

In some examples, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can determine the amount of system resources to request. Additionally or alternatively, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can transmit an indication of the amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group to the content-management system 108 and/or the supplemental-content delivery system 112. The content-management system 108 and/or the supplemental-content delivery system 112 can then use that amount as a basis to determine the amount of system resources to request. For example, the content-management system 108 and the supplemental-content delivery system 112 might each determine a respective amount of system resources that it needs to carry out respective actions in facilitating at least a portion of the content-presentation devices of the identified group performing respective content-modification operations.

As discussed above, the amount of system resources that are determined can include one or more types of system resources including, but not limited to, instances of servers running a particular software application (e.g., software with logic for selecting targeted supplemental content to deliver to content-presentation devices), processing cycles for servers running a particular software application (e.g., the software with the selecting logic noted above, or a different software application such as one that facilitates hosting supplemental content), bandwidth, memory, and/or CPU usage, among other possible types of system resources. The determined amount of system resources might be more or less than the amount of system resources that is/are currently allocated for use in performing actions that facilitate content-presentation device performance of content-modification operations.

The act of using at least the amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine an amount of system resources to request can occur in various ways. In one example, the fingerprint-matching server 106 might have stored mapping data that maps different amounts of content-presentation devices to corresponding amounts of system resources. For instance, when the amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group is five thousand, the fingerprint-matching server 106 might determine that one hundred instances of servers running a particular software application should be launched and run in parallel to help handle the increased load for selecting respective supplemental content for at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group. Additionally or alternatively, when the amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group is five thousand, the fingerprint-matching server 106 might determine that a particular number (e.g., two hundred) of processing cycles should be allocated for use by each instance of a server running the particular software application. In some implementations, the corresponding amounts of system resources specified in the mapping data can be a default amount of system resources to use for each amount of content-presentation devices in situations where no other technique, algorithm, etc. is used to determine the amount of system resources. Further, in some implementations, the amount of system resources determined for a particular amount of content-presentation devices can be proportional to that amount of content-presentation devices, whereas in other implementations the amount of system resources might be non-proportional.

In another example, the fingerprint-matching server 106 might use the amount of content-presentation devices as an input in a particular algorithm or algorithms that output an amount of system resources to request. For example, an algorithm might dictate that one instance of a server running a particular application should be launched for every one hundred content-presentation devices. As such, the algorithm might be or include Equation 1 as shown below, where x is the amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group and y is the amount of instances to launch. Other example algorithms are possible, as well as other techniques for determining the amount of system resources to request.

$\begin{matrix} {y = \frac{x}{100}} & \left( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1} \right) \end{matrix}$

As discussed above, additional factors can be taken into account in determining the amount of system resources to request. By way of example, the fingerprint-matching server 106 can use, at least in part, the amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group and historical content consumption data associated with the content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine the amount of system resources to request.

The fingerprint-matching server 106 might store the historical content consumption data or receive the historical content consumption data from another component of the content-modification system 100 such as the data-management system 110. For example, as a content-presentation device tunes to channels, change channels, and displays content for an end-user, the data-management system 110 can determine historical content consumption data associated with the content-presentation device including, but not limited to, types (e.g., genres) of programming the content-presentation device presents, types of advertising the content-presentation presents, a frequency at which the content-presentation device (i.e., end-users that use the content-presentation device) changes channels, and/or which channel(s) is/are most frequently viewed, among other possibilities. Thus, the historical content consumption data can relate at least in part to a tendency of the content-presentation device (i.e., of end-users that use the content-presentation device) to change channels.

Because the historical content consumption data can indicate the tendency of the content-presentation device to change channels, it can be useful for the fingerprint-matching server 106 to consider these tendencies when determining the amount of system resources to request. For example, if the identified group has one thousand content-presentation devices and the historical content consumption data indicates that two hundred of those content-presentation devices are over a threshold percent (e.g., 50%) likely to change channels before the upcoming content modification opportunity, the fingerprint-matching server 106 might determine an amount of system resources sufficient for the other eight hundred content-presentation devices. The historical content consumption data can help in other ways as well.

By taking into account the historical content consumption data and/or other information of the identified group, the content-modification system 100 can make even better informed decisions as to the amount of system resources to request. For example, by only requesting system resources for content-presentation devices that are most likely to remain tuned to the channel, the content-modification system 100 can avoid requesting more system resources than necessary, thus allowing other system resources to be allocated for use in performing other actions.

Having determined the amount of system resources to request, the content-modification system 100 can request the determined amount of system resources for use in performing actions that facilitate at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-modification operations. To facilitate this, for example, the content-modification system 100 (e.g., the fingerprint-matching server 106, content-management system 108, or supplemental-content delivery system 112) can use one or more APIs or other interfaces to communicate with a service provider (e.g., a service provider managed by the same entity that manages the content-modification system 100, or a third-party service provider) and request the determined amount of system resources from that service provider. Other examples are possible as well.

In line with the discussion above, the type of system resources that are determined can dictate what is requested. For example, the act of requesting the determined amount of system resources can involve requesting launching new instances of servers running a particular software application. As another example, the act of requesting the determined amount of system resources can involve requesting additional processing cycles for servers running a particular software application.

As discussed above, the determined amount of system resources can be used by one or more components of the content-modification system 100, such as the content-management system 108 and the supplemental-content delivery system 112, to perform various actions that facilitate at least the portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-modification operations.

In one example, the actions can be or include selecting, for each content-presentation device of at least the portion of the content-presentation devices (e.g., for each of eight hundred content-presentation devices out of one thousand in the identified group) in the identified group, respective supplemental content (e.g., a replacement advertisement) for that content-presentation device to use in performing a content-modification operation at the upcoming content modification opportunity. This selection can be performed by the content-management system 108, for instance.

In another example, the actions can be or include causing respective supplemental content to be transmitted to each content-presentation device of at least the portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group. The act of causing respective supplemental content to be transmitted to each content-presentation device can involve, for instance, (i) the content-management system 108 requesting links to respective selected supplemental content and transmitting the links to each content-presentation device, (ii) fingerprint-matching server 106 instructing the content-management system 108 to request and transmit the links, (iii) the supplemental-content delivery system 112 receiving requests for links to the respective supplemental content and transmitting a respective link to the content-management system 108 or to each content-presentation device, and/or (iv) the supplemental-content delivery system 112 receiving requests for the respective supplemental content (e.g., a download request) and sending the respective supplemental content to each content-presentation device. Other examples are possible as well.

In another example, the actions can be or include actions that log (e.g., store in memory) or report information that indicates whether content-modification operations were completed by the content-presentation devices in the identified group. As an example, this can involve determining which content-presentation devices of the identified group completed a content-modification operation and logging, for each such content-presentation device, a respective instance of a completed content-modification operation. As another example, this can involve flagging (e.g., storing a flag associated with a device identifier for) each content-presentation device of the identified group that did not complete a content-modification operation. As yet another example, this can involve logging, for each content-presentation device of the identified group that did not complete a content-modification operation, an error code or another indication as to why a content-modification operation was not completed. And as yet another example, this can involve flagging each content-presentation device that had a tendency to change channels that left that content-presentation device out of consideration in determining the amount of system resources to request. The fingerprint-matching server 106 or other device can report any or all of such logged information to any other device within or outside of content-management system 100. Logging and reporting this sort of information can help the content-management system 100 determine the source of non-completed content-modification operations and perhaps take remedial actions to increase the amount of content-modification operations that are performed successfully.

To facilitate the logging of any of the information described above, each content-presentation device can be configured to report, among other possible information, the occurrence of completed content-modification operations, the occurrence of non-completed content-modification operations, and perhaps reasons why any content-modification operations were not completed.

Using the operations described above in situations where there are numerous content-presentation devices in the identified group, the content-modification system 100 can reliably and quickly determine an amount of system resources to request that will help the content-modification system 100 facilitate the content-presentation devices performing content-modification operations, thereby improving user experience and the reliability of the content-modification system. These operations can also be used to efficiently and dynamically adjust how many system resources are being allocated for use in performing actions that facilitate content-presentation device performance of content-modification operations. Further, these operations can also be desirably used in situation where a smaller amount of content-presentation devices (e.g., five) are in the identified group, such as to avoid allocating more system resources than needed for the smaller group and saving system resources for other purposes.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example method 500. At block 502, the method 500 includes identifying an upcoming content modification opportunity on a channel.

At block 504, the method 500 includes responsive to identifying the upcoming content modification opportunity on the channel, identifying a group of multiple content-presentation devices tuned to the channel.

At block 506, the method 500 includes using, at least in part, an amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine an amount of system resources to request.

At block 508, the method 500 includes requesting the determined amount of system resources for use in performing actions that facilitate at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-modification operations.

The method 500 and related acts can be performed in whole or in part by the fingerprint-matching server 106, the content-management system 108, and/or the supplemental-content delivery system 112. In some implementations, the method 500 and related acts can be performed at least in part by another device within the content-modification system 100.

IV. Example Variations

Although the examples and features described above have been described in connection with specific entities and specific operations, in practice, there are likely to be many instances of these entities and many instances of these operations being performed, perhaps contemporaneously or simultaneously, on a large-scale basis. Indeed, in practice, the content-modification system 100 is likely to include many content-distribution systems (each potentially transmitting content on many channels) and many content-presentation devices, with some or all of the described operations being performed on a routine and repeating basis in connection with some or all of these entities.

In addition, although some of the operations described in this disclosure have been described as being performed by a particular entity, the operations can be performed by any entity, such as the other entities described in this disclosure. Further, although the operations have been recited in a particular order and/or in connection with example temporal language, the operations need not be performed in the order recited and need not be performed in accordance with any particular temporal restrictions. However, in some instances, it can be desired to perform one or more of the operations in the order recited, in another order, and/or in a manner where at least some of the operations are performed contemporaneously/simultaneously. Likewise, in some instances, it can be desired to perform one or more of the operations in accordance with one more or the recited temporal restrictions or with other timing restrictions. Further, each of the described operations can be performed responsive to performance of one or more of the other described operations. Also, not all of the operations need to be performed to achieve one or more of the benefits provided by the disclosure, and therefore not all of the operations are required.

Although certain variations have been described in connection with one or more examples of this disclosure, these variations can also be applied to some or all of the other examples of this disclosure as well and therefore aspects of this disclosure can be combined and/or arranged in many ways. The examples described in this disclosure were selected at least in part because they help explain the practical application of the various described features.

Also, although select examples of this disclosure have been described, alterations and permutations of these examples will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Other changes, substitutions, and/or alterations are also possible without departing from the invention in its broader aspects as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: identifying, by a server computing system, an upcoming content-replacement opportunity within a linear sequence of content segments transmitted on a channel, wherein the upcoming content-replacement opportunity comprises an opportunity to output a replacement content segment in place of a modifiable content segment that is part of the linear sequence of content segments; responsive to identifying the upcoming content-replacement opportunity on the channel, identifying, by the server computing system, a group of multiple content-presentation devices tuned to the channel; using, by the server computing system, at least in part, an amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine an amount of system resources to request for use in performing actions that facilitate at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-replacement operations; and requesting, by the server computing system, the determined amount of system resources for use in performing the actions that facilitate at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-replacement operations.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein requesting the determined amount of system resources comprises requesting launching one or more instances of servers running a particular software application having logic for selecting replacement content to deliver to at least the portion of the content-presentation devices for at least the portion of the content-presentation devices to use in performing the respective content-replacement operations.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein using, at least in part, the amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine the amount of system resources to request comprises determining that one instance of a server running the particular software application should be requested for every n content-presentation devices of the identified group, wherein n is an integer greater than zero.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the particular software application further has logic for causing, for each content-presentation device of at least the portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group, selected supplemental content to be transmitted to that content-presentation device.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein requesting the determined amount of system resources further comprises requesting additional processing cycles for the servers running the particular software application.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the determined amount of system resources comprises more than one system resource.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein using, at least in part, the amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine the amount of system resources to request further comprises using, at least in part, the amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group and historical content consumption data associated with the content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine the amount of system resources to request.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the historical content consumption data relates to tendencies of the content-presentation devices in the identified group to change channels.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein using, at least in part, the amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group and historical content consumption data associated with the content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine the amount of system resources to request comprises: determining that a portion of content-presentation devices of the identified group are over a threshold percentage likely to change channels before the upcoming content-replacement opportunity; and in response to determining that the portion of content-presentation devices of the identified group are over the threshold percentage likely to change channels before the upcoming content-replacement opportunity, determining the amount of system resources to request based on an amount of content-presentation devices in a remaining portion of the identified group.
 10. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon program instructions that, upon execution by a processor, cause performance of a set of operations comprising: identifying an upcoming content-replacement opportunity within a linear sequence of content segments transmitted on a channel, wherein the upcoming content-replacement opportunity comprises an opportunity to output a replacement content segment in place of a modifiable content segment that is part of the linear sequence of content segments; responsive to identifying the upcoming content-replacement opportunity on the channel, identifying a group of multiple content-presentation devices tuned to the channel; using, at least in part, an amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine an amount of system resources to request for use in performing actions that facilitate at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-replacement operations; and requesting the determined amount of system resources for use in performing the actions that facilitate at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-replacement operations.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein requesting the determined amount of system resources comprises requesting launching one or more instances of servers running a particular software application having logic for selecting replacement content to deliver to at least the portion of the content-presentation devices for at least the portion of the content-presentation devices to use in performing the respective content-replacement operations.
 12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein using, at least in part, the amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine the amount of system resources to request comprises determining that one instance of a server running the particular software application should be requested for every n content-presentation devices of the identified group, wherein n is an integer greater than zero.
 13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the particular software application further has logic for causing, for each content-presentation device of at least the portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group, selected supplemental content to be transmitted to that content-presentation device.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein requesting the determined amount of system resources further comprises requesting additional processing cycles for the servers running the particular software application.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the determined amount of system resources comprises more than one system resource.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein using, at least in part, the amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine the amount of system resources to request further comprises using, at least in part, the amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group and historical content consumption data associated with the content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine the amount of system resources to request.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the historical content consumption data relates to tendencies of the content-presentation devices in the identified group to change channels.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein using, at least in part, the amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group and historical content consumption data associated with the content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine the amount of system resources to request comprises: determining that a portion of content-presentation devices of the identified group are over a threshold percentage likely to change channels before the upcoming content-replacement opportunity; and in response to determining that the portion of content-presentation devices of the identified group are over the threshold percentage likely to change channels before the upcoming content-replacement opportunity, determining the amount of system resources to request based on an amount of content-presentation devices in a remaining portion of the identified group.
 19. A server computing system comprising: a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon program instructions that, upon execution by the processor, cause performance of a set of operations comprising: identifying an upcoming content-replacement opportunity within a linear sequence of content segments transmitted on a channel, wherein the upcoming content-replacement opportunity comprises an opportunity to output a replacement content segment in place of a modifiable content segment that is part of the linear sequence of content segments; responsive to identifying the upcoming content-replacement opportunity on the channel, identifying a group of multiple content-presentation devices tuned to the channel; using, at least in part, an amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine an amount of system resources to request for use in performing actions that facilitate at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-replacement operations; and requesting the determined amount of system resources for use in performing the actions that facilitate at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-replacement operations.
 20. The server computing system of claim 19, wherein requesting the determined amount of system resources comprises requesting launching one or more instances of servers running a particular software application having logic for selecting replacement content to deliver to at least the portion of the content-presentation devices for at least the portion of the content-presentation devices to use in performing the respective content-replacement operations. 